Originally Posted by
EmmCeeBee
I've lost track of exactly where on the East Coast you're riding....
But next time, consider taking Amtrak. All told, it could be the easiest/cheapest way on the continent for long-distance travel with your bike. $15 for a one-way transport (with passenger ticket), which includes the box -- and the box is so big you just roll your bike in, no major disassembly required, just turn the handlebars and take off the pedals. (Some routes even have roll-on bike racks, no charge for the bike.) With a couple of wrenches, in 20 minutes you can be rolling out of the station.
I don't think any airline can come close to that, for cost and convenience. Of course, some people just hate the train..... can't help there.
-- Mark
This may be true for some routes but not all. I couldn't get my bike on the Train from Maine going West. From Chicago West you can. Getting to Chicago was another story all together. Something about the smaller trains because of the older tunnels or some such. Don't know for sure.
Rode with a few guys who did as you mention from MN to ND and it cost them like you said $15 for the box and the bike was free. All they had to do was take off the pedals if I remember correct and the whole bike fit inside.
I'm sure someone has more information about the trains/routes that will allow a bike to come along.
kyakdiver